Threat and Vulnerability Management Program for PCI DSS

Payment Technology ProviderFinancial Technology7 months

Project Objective

Establish comprehensive threat and vulnerability management program aligned with PCI DSS requirements, focusing on continuous vulnerability assessment, threat intelligence, and risk-based remediation.

Methodologies & Approach
  • Assessment of current vulnerability management capabilities
  • Development of vulnerability management policy and procedures
  • Implementation of vulnerability scanning infrastructure
  • Integration of threat intelligence into vulnerability prioritization
  • Development of risk-based remediation approach
  • Implementation of patch management process
  • Creation of vulnerability metrics and reporting framework
Tools & Technologies
Vulnerability scanning solutions
Threat intelligence platforms
Patch management tools
Risk scoring methodology
Remediation tracking system
Reporting and dashboard tools
Outcomes & Results
  • Implemented comprehensive vulnerability management program aligned with PCI DSS
  • Established continuous vulnerability scanning for all in-scope systems
  • Integrated threat intelligence into vulnerability prioritization
  • Developed risk-based remediation approach reducing critical vulnerabilities by 95%
  • Implemented efficient patch management process with 98% compliance rate
  • Created vulnerability metrics and reporting framework for executive visibility
  • Successfully passed PCI DSS requirement 11 with zero findings
  • Reduced average remediation time for critical vulnerabilities from 30 days to 5 days
Key Insights & Lessons Learned
  • Early stakeholder engagement is critical for successful PCI DSS initiatives to ensure buy-in and alignment with business objectives.
  • A risk-based approach to implementation allows for more efficient resource allocation and prioritization of activities.
  • Clear documentation and evidence collection processes are essential for successful PCI DSS assessments.
  • Integration with existing business processes is essential for sustainable compliance programs.
  • Continuous monitoring and testing are key to maintaining compliance between formal assessments.
PCI DSS Requirements Addressed

Requirement 1

Network Security

Requirement 2

System Configuration

Requirement 3

Data Protection

Requirement 4

Transmission Security

Requirement 5

Malware Protection

Requirement 6

Secure Development

Requirement 7

Access Control

Requirement 8

Authentication

Requirement 9

Physical Security

Requirement 10

Logging & Monitoring

Requirement 11

Security Testing

Requirement 12

Security Policy

Project Details
Company:

Payment Technology Provider

Financial Technology
Year:

2021

Duration:

7 months

PCI DSS Focus Areas
PCI DSS v4.0.1
Compliance
Security Controls
Assessment
Vulnerability Management